The number of police officers who are taking time off work due to stress is continuing to rise, it has been revealed.

Figures released by the Essex Police Federation show that 285 officers were signed off through stress, depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder between March 2014 and 2015 – the latest figures available.

Just 276 stressed and anxious officers took time off work the year before.

In 2013/14 there were 41,251 sick days taken by the 3,300 officers.

The amount taken off because they were stressed, anxious or depressed was 11,238 days.

This is a staggering increase from the 5,132 days absent in 2009/10.

Monty Montgomery, the federation’s secretary, said Essex Police needed to do more to work at establishing the cause of mental illnesses such as depression.

He said: “Within Essex, we have seen an increase in budget to occupational health department.

We have a clear commitment from chief officers that we want to be a caring organisation.

“But still we have an increase in the number of officers reporting sick with mental illness. We still have a lot of misunderstanding of the problems associated with mental illness.

“Until we find the cause for the sickness, we can only treat the symptoms.

“Once we find the cause, we can look for a cure.”

Nick Alston, Essex’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The figures for stress, anxiety and depression are striking.

“Of those police officers, PCSOs and police staff who were absent from work for psychological reasons between January and March 2015, 60.87 per cent of this absence was due to stress, 11.59 per cent due to anxiety, and 16.67 per cent to depression.

“Since becoming commissioner, I have encouraged Essex Police to enhance its occupational health service to ensure that police officers and staff are professionally supported as they recover from sickness or injury and seek to return to work. This remains essential.

“I do, however, remain concerned about sickness levels in Essex Police.

“It is important that Essex Police continues to understand better and manage the causes of sickness and stress, with officer and staff welfare at the heart of everything that is done. I will do what I can to ensure this happens.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “As part of our continued commitment to supporting our workforce, we are currently making plans to engage with the charity Mind and their ‘Blue Light Programme’.

“This will help us to continue to develop the way in which we support individuals with issues related to mental health and wellbeing.”